Adaptive, low-impact vehicle energy harvester
US8661806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/085
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An adaptive, low-impact vehicle energy harvester system, and a method of harvesting vehicle energy, is provided. The system includes a plurality of channels disposed longitudinally in a trafficway, wherein each of the plurality of channels includes one or more compressible, elongated hollow bodies such that a movement of a vehicle along the trafficway causes contents in the elongated hollow bodies to be expelled from one end, a motor in communication with the hollow bodies such that the contents expelled from one end of the hollow bodies actuate the motor, and a control unit that varies a resistance to the movement of the contents in the elongated hollow bodies based on at least one of a mass of the vehicle, a velocity of the vehicle, and a rate of change of velocity of the vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.